RealNetwork's embrace of MP3 is very interesting. SDMI is a forum of dialogue which is chartered to move several industries (music, hardware, software, telecommunications, etc) towards a consensus on a business model that will allow for consumers and content providers to "find common ground" on how to create a profitable and legal marketplace.
SDMI has made it clear that it does not plan to support one or two audio schemes (ie EPAC OR a2b). In fact, the RIAA emphasizes that it would like a model where every music provider's music can play on anybody's player. Thus, it should be no surprise that EPAC is RNWK's compatible. All serious/competitive audio players will be compatible with ALL of the audio schemes that meet the agreed upon specifications established by the many technology companies and music companies within the SDMI. IMHO, more than anything, the RNWK/EPAC compatibility is an endorsement of EPAC's audio quality.
If EPAC's audio quality is truly "superior," then EDIG will WIN big (EDIG does have other avenues for $$ beyond Lucent).
The Rolling Stone Magazine article touches on some important pieces of the puzzle. Dr. Lionardo Chiariglione (quoted in the Rolling Stone article), is the Man--as the Executive Director of the SDMI his vision is expected to help guide the scrambling record industry to partner with the technology industry.
The Rolling Stone article touches on the "long term" and the "short term."
The short term goal is to establish the agreed upon specifications for a "portable device" by Christmas. EDIG/Lucent has already announced that this will be achieved.
The long term goal is a bit more of a challenge. Essentially the goal is to create infrastructure for consumers and providers. As the Rolling Stone article states: "the idea is that consumers will be receiving digital music via cable, via broadcast over the air, or from a kiosk." And of course, this is where the Madison Project comes into play.
The Madison Project and other efforts associated with the long term goals are important to all of the current developments within the short term goal. This is because the specifications that are established within the portable device scheme will have to eventually be compatible with the long term infrastructure. Thus, it is important that EDIG can position itself within the short term AND long term initiatives TODAY. IBM's work within the Madison Project and its position within the Functional Requirements Working Group within SDMI is starting to help build a clearer picture. I simply hope that IBM is leveraging EDIG in all of this.
A lot of discussion on this board has questioned RNWK's decision to adopt MP3 within its new player. It is still unclear to myself why RNWK made this decision. The SDMI understands that technology companies want to be first to market; and it has made it very clear that any attempt to embrace pirated music will serve to work against all of the initiatives behind electronic commerce.
Well, those are my thoughts....
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